Which Flash and Trigger???

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cat3

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Hi,

New here!

I'm just about to purchase a flash for my 40D
I'm looking at the Canon 580 EX (or EX II)
I just want a basic flash that be used on or off the camera - and one that will last me forever so that's why i'm looking at what seems the best??

What is the smallest/lightest trigger possible that will trigger it when it's off the camera?

Any help would be great :-)

I've not used a flash before so it's all new to me!

Thanks
Cat
 
Hi, and welcome to TP, I've shifted this to a more appropriate section for you :thumbs:

The 580ex is a great flash, but it's expensive. The Nissin 866 offers the same functionality at a fraction of the price if you fancy going down the non Canon route.

I have the 580 ex and the Nissin and the Nissin gets more use because of it's extra sub flash and easier menu screens. Build is a tad behind the Canon and it's a bit noisier but it's almost 1/2 the cost of the 580.


Search on ebay for flash triggers, there's loads of them on there which will allow off camera flash in manual mode. To keep the ettl functionality of the flash when off camera you'll be needing to spend some serious money on something like the pocket wizard flex system.
 
Yup the Nissin is excellent, although it has two downsides compared to the 580II:

a) a plastic foot
b) the Canon can be controlled via the on camera menus in the higher spec models (7D, 1D etc).

If that doesn't matter (as it didn't for me) then it's an excellent alternative.
 
I know you won't be able to use it on camera but a old film flash and radio triggers work well for off camera and are cheap.

My friend has the 580 EXII and two 430 EXII but they have to be facing the 580 EXII to actually fire which can cause problems getting them to work in the direction you want them to. She's now bought pocket wizards to overcome that problem but has now also because a expensive set up for outside work.
 
Welcome to TP :)

If a 580EX2 is within budget, get it. Great gun, best there is, and with reference to your OP, only Canon can guarantee 100% compatibility with future models.

For off camera triggering, there are lots of options. To retain E-TTL control, a cord is cheapest, up to 10m, and reliable. For wireless, you need a master controller. 580 gun is also a master (but you'd need another one to control the off-camera gun), Canon ST-E2 is a master, and mastering is built in to the 7D and 60D cameras. Cheapest master is a Yongnuo ST-E2 clone for about £80 off the bay - I've not tried it but it gets very good rep. Google it. All these use semi-IR signals which work fine indoors but can struggle in brighter light outdoors. For that you need Pocket Wizard's radio option at £400.

If you don't need E-TTL, manual-only radio triggers are cheap and good, eg Yongnuo RF-602 for £35 on Amazon.
 
xisi101 said:
RF-602 Remote Trigge can be used with these Models


Canon 1000D 500D 450D 400D 350D 300D



Compatible flash models:
Nikon SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-28, SB-27, SB-26, SB-25, SB-24
Canon 580EX II, 580EX, 540EZ, 520EZ, 430EZ, 430EX, 420EX, 420EZ, 380EX
Pentax AF-540 FGZ, AF-360 FGZ, AF-400 FT, AF-240 FT
Olympus FL-50, FL36
Sigma EF-500 DG Super, EF-500 DG ST, EF-430
Sunpak Auto 2000DZ, 622 Pro, 433AF, 433D, 383, 355AFm 344D, 333D
Click to expand...

RF-602 for Canon can be used with any camera, it's only the cable fitting that is different between entry-level (jack plug) and higher end models (3-pin). Cable is to use the RF-602 as a remote camera trigger.
 
HoppyUK said:
RF-602 for Canon can be used with any camera, it's only the cable fitting that is different between entry-level (jack plug) and higher end models (3-pin). Cable is to use the RF-602 as a remote camera trigger.
Click to expand...

Yes and no, if you want the "wake-up" feature to work with, say, a 580EXII you need the Canon version of the triggers. There can also, (iirc it was you that discovered this :thinking::shrug:) be a slight drop in sync speed when using the Nikon version on a Canon, or the other way round, so if possible get the version designed for the brand of the camera.

That's not to say they don't work, I used a Canon set on my D300 for ages....
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Yes and no, if you want the "wake-up" feature to work with, say, a 580EXII you need the Canon version of the triggers. There can also, (iirc it was you that discovered this :thinking::shrug:) be a slight drop in sync speed when using the Nikon version on a Canon, or the other way round, so if possible get the version designed for the brand of the camera.

That's not to say they don't work, I used a Canon set on my D300 for ages....
Click to expand...

Graham yes. The Canon and Nikon versions have different hot shoe contacts and though they can be used interchangeably the Canon one makes use of the E-TTL contacts for firing which delivers slightly faster x-sync speed (1/3rd stop-ish) and has the wake up feature, as you say.

The point I was making re the previous post is that there is only one version of the transmitter for Canon, but if you get it with a remote shutter release cable, there are two Canon plug fittings for that.
 
I think that you may be talking to an 'advertiser' Hoppy! :)
 
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